Start of the Rainbow: Where it all began — my curiosity with fresh water started in this meadow “chasing water” or irrigating via this gravity fed sprinkler. I wondered how long it would take this irrigation water to reach the ocean after it connects back to the Colorado River. A decade? Two? Sadly, today it’s never since the river no longer reaches the Sea of Cortez due to overallocation and #climatechange. Nice to be back in #colorado#chasingrivers#water#gratitude#headwaters#rainbow

The Queen: A hungry mother lion races toward a kill. Happy World Lion day — although we should celebrate this amazing creature more than once a year. Sadly Africa's lion population has declined 90% in the last 75 years, threatened by a range of factors from habitat loss and degradation to conflicts with humans. @lewa_wildlife in Kenya is doing remarkable work saving these big cats and many other species that need help. #worldlionday#lions#kenya#simba#nature#wildlife@pedromcbride

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Roughly a decade ago I took an assignment to photograph my “backyard river," the Colorado, source to sea. What I discovered at the end of the journey, changed my view of the world and where I focus my lenses. I’ve since learned the vital importance these natural arteries, rivers, play as I’ve chased them across four continents trying to highlight the critical roles they offer in supplying fresh water to all aspects of our lives (food, thirst, power, and fun), but also, the challenges they face. Of course, I’ve flipped a few rafts, drowned a few cameras and bushwhacked a few thousand miles. >> Video and text @PedroMcBride edit @michellescreative thx @roam#chasingrivers#freshwater

Milky and the Tent: A few years ago I climbed this 'water tower' — Mt. Kenya, the 2nd highest peak in Africa and home to the Samburu god N’Gai. This 17,000 ft ancient volcano once boasted 16 glaciers but now has less than one left, changing the world of water below. Having just seen the severe drought rolling across northern Kenya and stressing livelihoods, livestock, and the lovable beasts — I kept looking toward this peak. Ironically, it never showed its face and hid behind looming clouds. To see more of our film #thewatertower with @mountainworld check out the trailer on my site in bio. #chasingrivers#climatechange#kenya#milkyway#africa@pedromcbride

With roughly 5,000 left in the wild, the black rhino continues to face extreme poaching dangers for its horn that is biologically no different than a toenail. Amazingly - one place is bucking the trend - @lewa_wildlife has not lost a rhino in three years thanks to a network of protectors and protection that enable rhinos like Wai Wai here and her baby to thrive. Amazed to witness Lewa evolve from a cattle ranch to a wildlife sanctuary which now boasts 14% of Kenya's rhino population (black and white). #kenya#rhino#conservation#africa#nature#wildlife#goodnews

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Finding Ottoman: For years I've known and admired @savetheelephants work protecting and tracking elephants throughout Kenya and Africa - to defend against poaching and human / wildlife conflicts. It was great to fly with them, @francothepapa and my brother this week - up the Ewaso River to document how extreme drought is affecting elephants in northern Kenya. Three hours into this stomach-turning flight, we not only eyed the gps-collared elies that marched 100 miles west in just three days - but we re-discovered the one-tusked mother elephant Ottoman which hadn't been seen in four years. To learn more, follow @savetheelephants. #chasingrivers#kenya#elephants#flight#nature#humility#sonyalpha#actioncam

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Jumping into the future: The Samburu tribe, or “Butterfly People” — dubbed for their bright colors, live in northern Kenya and rely on cattle and goats, not hunting. They are famous for their strong tribal traditions that resist the wheel of modernity rolling through Africa. One tradition for men is jumping as high as they can as a way to prove their talents. I admire their passion for song and athleticism and I always try to jump with them… just as high. I’ll keep dreaming. Thx @sadron70@francothepapa#hilaryhurt for the laughs. #samburu#kenya#jump#tradition#africa@pedromcbride#sonyalpha

'The warm heart of Africa': That is how Malawi is described and the endless laughter and friendship on the streets confirms it. No one exemplifies the Malawian spirit like these bee keepers near Majete Game Reserve who welcomed our visit with song. Honey has proven to be a successful economic alternative over illegal wildlife hunting and trade. Finding ways for communities to thrive enable wildlife like elephants and rhino nearby to survive - something worth singing about. @africanparksnetwork#majete#africa#malawi#laughter#sing#500elephants#hope

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How do you move 500 wild African elephants? Carefully and quickly. These elephants are getting moved with their family units to a new park because their numbers have thrived in Majete Game Reserve, Malawi. The process involves a logistical orchestra of specialized vets, dedicated elephants experts, and heavy equipment to tranquilize, load, wake-up and transport the animals as efficiently as possible, with as little stress as possible. The process involves risk but the threat of ivory poaching is far riskier. @africanparksnetwork plans to complete their two-year translocation of 500 elephants in early August, bringing wildlife back to a park that was once decimated by poachers. To learn more, follow @africanparksnetwork#500elephants#elephant#majete#malawi#conservation

A migration assist: As a smoky sunset sweeps across the Majete Wildlife Reserve in Malawi Africa, a pod of elephants move west. Constant burning to create charcoal, which many rely upon to survive, creates the hazy tangerine sky, but it comes with a less pretty cost on the ground: denuded woodlands and wildlife habitat. The community-minded strategy in Majete, however, has managed this reserve to allow and ensure wildlife thrive, the forest stands and new jobs in and around the region are following. It has become a success reflected in exponential wildlife growth. As a result, 150 elephants are getting moved to another @africanparksnetwork in the north of Malawi that was once wiped of animals due to poaching. The first steps in this rare ‘feel good’ story starts first with locating the elie herds to move. See them? #conservation#500elephants#malawi#majete#africa#chasingrivers

'Maps will need to be redrawn’: One of the largest icebergs in history, seven times the size of New York City, calved off from Antarctica today according to scientists, showing the troubling and shocking signs of our rapidly changing climate and warming poles. Years ago I spent weeks exploring this frozen world for @natgeo and was humbled and amazed at the warming world we witnessed - from rain to melted sea ice and crashing icebergs. #climatechange#antarctica#humility#nature#archives

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Wildlife Warrior: I’m headed back to Africa this week to document the people working within wildlife conservation. I’ll be focusing on the challenges and successes— and of course the people like this native Samburu, who are instrumental to the future of wildlife. #portrait#samburu#kenya#africa

Natural Fireworks: While some prefer BBQs and Parades on Independence Day, I choose to visit one of America’s greatest accomplishments — its wild and protected landscapes. Maroon Peak in the last bath of moonlight under a spray of stars. #Happy4th#nature#wilderness#colorado